Internet Kills Communication Sample Essay

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Essay 1

Internet Kills Communication

There was a time when communicating with people living in distant places took too long. Letters were sent through post mail. It was not easy to transmit an urgent message to a loved one or a relative and preserve the urgency. When the internet was invented, it solved most of these problems. People could send emails, which could be read and replied to almost immediately. Today, people living far apart can have video conversations through the likes of Skype, just as though they were talking face-to-face. However, the internet is also highly degrading the value of face-to-face communication.

It is possible to find families where the members no longer sit and have decent conversations. This has been mostly promoted by the social media and the increased access to phones that can browse the internet. People are too preoccupied with their friends on the social media. As a result, they stay glued to the screens of their phones that they do not have time to spend with their actual friends and families (Oberzaucher, Grammer, & Schmehl, 2010). When there was no internet, it was very easy to make friends and acquaintances. When one was lost, he/she could ask for directions from other people. Such people could end up becoming friends or important acquaintances. In the current generation, however, whenever one is lost or does not know something, he/she can just search the directions or meanings on the internet and continue with his/her business (Lee, Leung, Lo, Xiong, & Wu, 2010).
There are some messages that can only be understood when accompanied with some vital gestures. When people resort to typed messages that are conveyed through social media, the gestures cannot be transmitted (Oberzaucher, Grammer, & Schmehl, 2010). As a result, it is easy to misunderstand each other. In this manner, the internet is killing the conveyance of meaning through communication. Because of excessive use of the internet, it is not easy to pay attention during face-to-face communication with others. When one is trying to communicate with another, who is busy chatting on the internet, the conversation does not yield anything. Many children have felt neglected by their parents, who cannot pay attention to what they are trying to tell them (Bitti, & Garotti, 2010).
With face to face communication, it is easy to notice and give gestures that give meaning to communication. It is also easy to listen keenly and be emotionally present when communicating with one another. People can express their feelings to others who are able to respond adequately to such feelings. This builds confidence and trust among friends and family members. Further, teaching in class did not only involve imparting knowledge but also non-verbal communication of values and other essentials of life from the teacher to the students. Today, however, classes are taken online. Students who attend classes in campus also do not concentrate on what the tutor is communicating because they are busy updating their social media profiles and chatting (Harrington, & Loffredo, 2010).
The internet is an efficient tool in communication, but people must be careful not to let it kill our communication skills. Face to face communication is still a very essential tool for building relationships. The internet should be used to enhance communication between people who are far away from each other, but it should not replace face-to-face communication between people who are next to each other. People must learn to put aside the internet when they are holding face to face conversations with one another.

References
Bitti, P. E., & Garotti, P. L. (2010). Nonverbal communication and cultural differences: issues for face-to-face communication over the internet. Face-To-Face Communication over the Internet, 81-99. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511977589.006

Harrington, R., & Loffredo, D. A. (2010). MBTI personality type and other factors that relate to preference for online versus face-to-face instruction. The Internet and Higher Education, 13(1-2), 89-95. doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2009.11.006

Lee, P. S., Leung, L., Lo, V., Xiong, C., & Wu, T. (2010). Internet Communication Versus Face-to-face Interaction in Quality of Life. Social Indicators Research, 100(3), 375-389. doi:10.1007/s11205-010-9618-3

Oberzaucher, E., Grammer, K., & Schmehl, S. (2010). Embodiment and expressive communication on the internet. Face-To-Face Communication over the Internet, 237-279. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511977589.012

Essay 2

Does Intenet Kill Communication?

The internet has had a significant impact on communication in recent years, and opinions on the effects of this technology are divided (Turkle, 2011). On one hand, the internet has made it easier for people to stay in touch with one another, regardless of distance. Online communication tools such as email, instant messaging, and social media have made it possible for people to connect with others in ways that were previously impossible (Hampton, 2011). This has led to the creation of virtual communities, where people from all over the world can come together to share ideas and information (Wellman, Haase, Witte & Hampton, 2001).

Additionally, the internet has made it possible for people to access a vast array of information (Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010). This includes news, educational content, and other forms of knowledge that can help people to communicate more effectively (Warschauer & Matuchniak, 2010). The internet has also enabled the development of e-commerce and online marketplaces, which have made it possible for people to conduct business and trade goods and services with one another (Brynjolfsson & Saunders, 2010).

On the other hand, some people argue that the internet is making it harder for people to communicate effectively (Turkle, 2011). The abundance of information available online can make it difficult for people to distinguish between credible and unreliable sources (Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010). This can lead to the spread of misinformation, which can have serious consequences (Allcott & Gentzkow, 2017). Additionally, the anonymity of online communication can lead to trolling and other forms of abusive behavior (Suler, 2004). This can create a toxic environment that is not conducive to effective communication.

The use of the internet has also been associated with a decline in face-to-face communication (Twenge & Campbell, 2009). With the ease of sending a message or email, people may be less likely to have in-person conversations. Research has suggested that this decline in face-to-face communication can have negative effects on social skills, empathy, and overall well-being (Baumeister, Twenge, & Nuss, 2002).

Moreover, the internet has also created a culture of constant distraction and multitasking, where people are constantly bombarded with notifications and messages (Fried & Aricak, 2014). This can lead to information overload and make it difficult for people to focus on a single task or conversation (Van der Meijden, 2019). This can lead to a decrease in productivity, and can make it difficult for people to engage in deep and meaningful conversations.

In conclusion, it’s true that the internet has had a profound impact on communication (Turkle, 2011). However, it’s not accurate to say that the internet kills communication. The internet is a powerful tool that can be used to enhance communication in many ways (Hampton, 2011). However, it’s important to be mindful of the ways in which the internet can make it harder to communicate effectively, and to take steps to mitigate these effects (Turkle, 2011). This includes being thoughtful about the information that we consume, and taking steps to limit distractions and multitasking (Fried & Aricak, 2014). And also being more personal and direct in our internet-based communication.

References

Allcott, H., & Gentzkow, M. (2017). Social media and fake news in the 2016 election. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2), 211-236.

Baumeister, R. F., Twenge, J. M., & Nuss, C. K. (2002). The social animal (11th ed.). New York:

Hampton, K. (2011). Social networking sites and our lives. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewinternet.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/media/Files/Reports/2011/PIP-Social-networking-sites-and-our-lives.pdf

Kirschner, P. A., & Karpinski, A. C. (2010). Facebook® and academic performance. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(6), 1237-1245. -Warschauer, M., & Matuchniak, T. (2010).

Turkle, S. (2011). The flight from conversation. Retrieved from https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/english2150cwrowesp17/files/2017/01/Turkle_The-Flight-From-Conversation.pdf

Wellman, B., Haase, A., Witte, J., & Hampton, K. (2001). Does the internet increase, decrease, or supplement social capital? Social networks, participation, and community commitment. American Behavioral Scientist, 45(3), 436-455. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027640121957286